Guzmania plant named &#39;Georgia&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Guzmania plant named ‘Georgia’ characterized by being a solid, tenable, long-lasting hybrid; having superior bract production; compound red inflorescence RHS 44 A; and variegated leaves, green RHS 137 A on the sides and light greyed-yellow RHS 160 C in the center.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a new, distinct and stable plant of Guzmania hereinafter referred to as ‘Georgia’. Guzmania is a member of the Bromeliaceae family.

[0002] Guzmania comprise a genus of over 100 species of evergreen perennials suitable for cultivation in the home or under glass. Guzmania are predominantly epiphytic with a few terrestrial species and are native to the tropics. For the most part the species vary in diameter from 7 or 8 inches to 3 or 4 feet and have rosettes of glossy, smooth edged leaves.

[0003] Floral bracts of Guzmania frequently have brilliant colors and may last for many months. The range of colors for Guzmania is generally from yellow through orange but may also include flame red and red-purple. White or yellow, tubular, three petalled flowers may also appear on a stem or within the leaf rosette but are usually short lived.

[0004] Guzmania may be advantageously grown as pot plants for greenhouse or home use. Desirably the plants are shaded from direct sunlight and during the spring to autumn period, the central vase-like part of the leaf rosette is desirably filled with water.

[0005] Guzmania is native to tropical America. Leaves of the Guzmania are usually formed as basal rosettes which are stiff and entire and in several vertical ranks. Guzmania have terminal spikes or panicles which are often bracted with petals united in a tube about as long as the calyx. The ovary is superior and the seeds plumose.

[0006] Asexual propagation of Guzmania is frequently done through the use of tissue culture practices. Propagation can also be from off-shoots produced by the plant which may then be rooted. The resulting plantlets are detached from the mother plant and may be potted up in a suitable growing mixture.

[0007] The present invention was created by the inventor, Ward McCory in 1993, and flowered for the first time in 1994 in Eustis, Fla. The new cultivar was developed through a controlled breeding program and exhibits unique, desirable and stable characteristics.

[0008] The new hybrid Guzmania ‘Georgia’ is a mutation of Guzmania lingulata×Guzmania wittmackii ‘Rana’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,471). Assexual reproduction of this new cultivar in Eustis, Fla., has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be basic characteristics of ‘Georgia’ which in combination distinguish this Guzmania as a new and distinct cultivar:

[0010] 1. Solid, tenable, long-lasting hybrid;

[0011] 2. superior bract production;

[0012] 3. compound red inflorescence RHS 44 A; and

[0013] 4. variegated leaves, green RHS 137 A on the sides and light greyed-yellow RHS 160 C in the center

[0014] ‘Georgia’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and daylength without any change in the genotype of the plant. The following observations, measurements, and values describe the new cultivar as grown in Renesse, The Netherlands under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

[0015] Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the closest comparison cultivar is Guzmania ‘Rana’. The most important difference between ‘Georgia’ and ‘Rana’ is the color of the leaves: ‘Georgia’ has variegated leaves, green on the sides and greyed-yellow in the middle, while ‘Rana’ does not have variegated leaves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The first drawing shows the cultivar ‘Georgia’. The photograph shows a whole plant view of the inflorescence and foliage. The second drawing shows a close up view of the inflorescence of ‘Georgia’. The third drawing shows a close-up view of the foliage pattern and coloration.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0017] The following observations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grown in Eustis, Fla. under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

[0018] In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (RHS), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used.

[0019] Plant:

[0020]Form.—Funnel form rosette.

[0021]Height.—Approximately 65 cm high (flowering).

[0022]Diameter.—Approximately 75 cm.

[0023]Growth habit.—Stemless.

[0024]Vigor.—The new cultivar flowers approximately 16 weeks after treatment with Acetylene.

[0025] Foliage:

[0026]Size.—Approximately 40 cm in length.

[0027]Shape.—Linear lanceolate.

[0028]Surface texture.—Smooth.

[0029]Upper side color.—Variegated, sides are green, RHS 137 A; center is light greyed-yellow RHS 160 C with one or more green stripes, RHS 137 A.

[0030]Underside color.—Variegated, green RHS 137 B; center light yellow RHS 16 D (color dependent on environmental conditions).

[0031]Apex.—Acute.

[0032] Flowers:

[0033]Borne.—Erect stalks.

[0034]Shape of inflorescence.—Compound.

[0035]Size of the inflorescence.—Approximately 18 cm in length (on the stalk); approximately 22 cm in diameter.

[0036]Number of flowers per inflorescence.—Approximately 80.

[0037]Lastingness of the inflorescence.—A fully grown plant can produce an inflorescence containing approximately 80 flowers and can bloom anytime throughout the year starting approximately 16 weeks after natural induction or induction with acetylene. Each flower blooms for one day and the total length of blooming of the whole inflorescence is 6 weeks.

[0038]Individual petals.—Approximately 5 cm in length; 0.5 cm in width, color unknown (disposed within the inflorescence); quantity: approximately 80 flowers.

[0039] Bracts:

[0040]Scape bract.—Approximately 30 cm (lowest) to approximately 15 cm just below the primary bracts in length; approximate 3.5-4.5 cm in width; approximately 10 in number; lanceolate shape; smooth texture; margin entire; acute apex.

[0041]Primary bract.—Approximately 15 cm (lowest) to approximately 8 cm at the top in length; approximately 1-3.5 cm in width; approximately 13 in number; lanceolate shape; smooth texture; margin entire; acute apex; color RHS 44 A, no variegation.

[0042] Seeds/Fruit: None, sterile.

[0043] Reproductive Organs:

[0044]Ovaries.—Superior.

[0045]Stamens.—6.

[0046] Disease/Pest Resistance/Susceptibility: No information to date. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Guzmania plant named ‘Georgia’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 